This story is completely fictional and I am not in anyway implying that Lance Bass or any members of Nsync are gay. I'd like to take a quick second to thank everyone who nominated Lance and Michael for the Boy Band Story Awards!
Sorry that it has taken so long getting this chapter out to you. Especially after the cliffhanger I left you with. But between the time constraints of real life and the subject matter of this chapter, it was just difficult to keep writing.
Thanks to Jeremy, Jason and Michael for their continued support and encouragement. Rob special thanks to you for your edits, inspirations, and for simply being there. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter, and I would appreciate any comments and criticisms. You can email me at mccall0470@hotmail.com.
Lance and Michael: Lance's Love Chapter Six "Where Do We Go From Here?"
October 19, 1999
Melinda Bell let out a small moan as her cab pulled into the parking lot of the Santa Monica Hospital. A large crowd of teenage girls had gathered in front of the hotel entrance, screaming at the top of their lungs. The sight wasn't a new one for the Special Projects Producer of Nsync. In fact it was actually an everyday occurrence. Melinda could see the hospital security staff attempting to quiet the crowd and back them away from the entrance. She shook her head as the cab came to a stop.
"The guys must be here." She mumbled, paying the driver and exiting the cab.
Melinda made her way around the throng of girls towards the hospital entrance. As she came around the group, she paused briefly seeing the news vans parked on the other side of the parking lot, then continued into the hospital lobby.
"Hey, Mel!" Chris Kirkpatrick called as she entered the lobby.
"Hi, Chris." She sighed, giving the singer a hug. "A little risky being this close to the doors, isn't it?"
Chris shrugged his shoulders and gave a weak smile. "They don't recognize the new hair, just yet."
Melinda nodded and headed towards the nurse's station. "What's our status?" She asked Chris.
"I was in town when JC called, so I ran right over," he began. "The basic story is that Michael's ex-boyfriend raped him. Tyler, Michael's roommate, found him a few hours later. He's been unconscious since then. The doctor's say that he's stable, but they won't know for sure until he wakes up."
Melinda ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Damn."
"Ms. Bell?" an attractive woman in a business suit approached, extending her hand. "I am Katherine Bryce, PR Manager for the hospital."
"Hello." Melinda smiled her face transitioning from casual to business. "Katherine, I'm sorry for this mess outside. My employers tend to gather large crowds."
"That's understandable." Katherine smiled. "What can the hospital do to help?"
Melinda cleared her throat and took a quick glance outside. "What we need to do is back the crowd up to the far end of the parking lot. You may need to call the local police for assistance.
"I'd like to hold a press conference in one hour. If possible, I would like to do it just outside the entrance."
"Not a problem."
Melinda pulled one of her business cards out of her purse and handed it to Katherine. "One more thing." She added. "Have all of Mr. McCall's bills sent to me at this address."
Katherine took the card with a raised eyebrow. "Okay."
"Good." Melinda nodded. "I'm going to check in on Mr. McCall now. I will meet you here in forty-five minutes to go over my agenda for the press conference."
"Thank you, Ms. Bell."
Melinda turned to Chris and waved her hand forward. "Lead the way."
The elevator doors opened and Melinda quickly stepped out. At the end of the hall she could see Justin, Joey and Alyx sitting in a row of chairs. Melinda could tell immediately that none of them had gotten much sleep in the last twelve hours. As she approached the group, Melinda gave a soft smile to Alyx. The two had met over the summer when Michael had introduced them at a concert, otherwise, Melinda didn't know much about the redhead sitting in front of her.
Joey and Justin stood and gave Melinda a hug and said hello. Melinda looked into their tired eyes and frowned slightly. "Why don't you guys go get something to eat."
The group started to protest, but Melinda shot them down with a glare. Without any further complaints, the threesome and Chris headed towards the cafeteria. Once the group was out of sight, Melinda turned towards Michael's room and quietly entered.
She felt uneasy as she stepped into the dark room. As she neared the privacy curtain, she could hear JC Chasez singing to his unconscious friend.
Hearing the emotion, in the singer's voice, Melinda decided to wait behind the curtain.
"Over and over I fall," JC's voice softly echoed through the room. "When I hear you call. Without you in my life baby, I just wouldn't be livin at all." Melinda peered around the curtain to see JC sitting next to Michael's bed, holding his hand. Tears were flowing down the singer's face as he sang. "And I will take you in my arms and hold u right where u belong. Till the day my life is through, this I promise you." Melinda quietly approached JC and gently placed her hands on his shoulders. "Just close your eyes, with each loving day, know this feeling won't go away. Every word I say is true this I promise you." JC took a short breath and whispered. "Every word I say is true, this I promise you. This I promise you." Melinda wrapped her arms around JC's shoulders and held him tight as he shuddered with the release of his tears. She glanced over the singer's shoulders and saw Michael clearly for the first time. Her breath caught in her throat and she nearly gagged. The sight of her friend battered and bruised in the bed in front of her took her by surprise. Sensing JC pull away from her, Melinda quickly wiped her eyes and replaced her surprise with concern for the singer. "How you holding up?" she asked. JC turned to look at Michael with a sigh. "As well as can be expected."
"Any news?"
"No change with Michael." JC returned his gaze to Mel. "The police are out looking for this Andy guy. No word on that, though."
Melinda moved closer to the bed and gently moved Michael's hair from his forehead. She was careful not to touch the large bruises around his eyes. She allowed her gaze to move from Michael's bruised eyes to his swollen jaw.
There were bruises on his neck, but they didn't appear to be from being hit. "Bite marks?" she questioned, not realizing that she said it aloud.
"Huh?" JC was brought out of his own trance. Seeing what Mel was looking at, he agreed. "This guy was pretty rough. Michael has bruises and cuts just about everywhere."
"What kind of person does this to someone?" she asked absently.
"A very disturbed person." JC answered squarely.
"Hey." Melinda said suddenly. "Where's Lance?"
"I just need to take a quick shower and get a change of clothes." Tyler Donovan called over his shoulder to Lance as he entered his apartment.
"Make it quick." Lance replied flatly. The duo had spent the last fourteen hours trying to track down Andy with no success. Lance had not wanted to stop, but Tyler had convinced him that they needed a break.
Lance waited until Tyler had gone into his bedroom before heading back to Michael's room. The singer slowly approached the door and gently pushed it open. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he entered the room. It looked like the aftermath of a tornado. Books and files covered the floor, as well as picture frames and clothing. There was blood on the carpet and on the sheets of the bed.
Fighting the urge to vomit, the singer entered the room. Glass from the broken picture frames cracked under his footsteps. He knew that he shouldn't be in this room. He knew that he shouldn't have to see the aftermath. But something deep within him needed to know...needed to see. His gaze moved around the bed to the large blood stains on the carpet where Tyler had found Michael.
Feeling light-headed, Lance reached down to the desk chair that was lying on the floor sat it upright and sat down. As he looked at the damage that surrounded him, the realization of what had occurred in this room hit him like an anvil dropped from the ceiling. Michael...his boyfriend...his lover, had been attacked in this room. Beaten. Cut. Violated. Raped.
"Why?" Lance asked absently as his grief overtook him. He dropped his head into his hands and began to sob uncontrollably.
The sound of glass cracking under footsteps brought Lance's attention back to the room and he quickly rubbed the tears from his eyes and shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"Lance?" Tyler asked, entering the room. "You okay?"
"I'm fine." Lance answered almost too quickly as he stood and moved towards the closet. "You ready?"
Tyler looked closely at Lance. The singer looked tired and upset. "Yeah, I'm ready." He answered. "We should just go to the hospital. I called Alyx and she said that the guys and Melinda are there."
Lance peeled off his shirt and reached into Michael's closet for a new one.
He grabbed a pale blue pullover that he had given to Michael over the summer and put it on. As he pulled it over his head, he inhaled deeply and smiled catching Michael's scent on the shirt.
"Everyone is asking why you aren't there." Tyler stated.
Lance locked eyes with Tyler for a second then headed out of the apartment.
"We'll go to the hospital after we find Andy."
"Is this press conference necessary?" JC Chasez asked as he and Melinda headed down the hall towards the hospital lobby.
Melinda let out a low sigh as she adjusted her blazer. "Well, JC," she began as if explaining herself for the thousandth time. "Ever since Michael appeared on national television as Britney's date he's become news. Not to mention the fact that every member of Nsync is at the hospital with him. We've got to say something before the tabloids start printing what they think has happened."
"Lord knows what that would end up being."
The duo stopped just outside the door to the hospital lobby where Katherine Bryce met them.
"All set?" Katherine asked.
Melinda nodded and Katherine entered the lobby to introduce them.
"What are you going to say?" JC asked.
"I called Johnny and we prepared a statement." Melinda whispered as she turned and entered the lobby.
After Katherine's brief introduction, Melinda quietly stepped up to the podium. Before speaking, she glanced over her right shoulder to make sure that JC was right behind her.
"Good morning." She began as the photographer's cameras began to flash. "I'll give a brief statement and then take a few questions.
"Yesterday, Nsync staff member, Michael McCall was attacked during a home invasion attempt. He has suffered some minor cuts, bruises and a mild concussion. The hospital is keeping him here for observation. Michael is expected to be released tomorrow morning."
Melinda paused to take a breath before continuing. "The guys of Nsync appreciate the concern shown by their fans, but would like to ask that everyone respect the rights and privacy of those admitted to the hospital and not gather on the hospital grounds. At this time I will take any questions that you may have."
Katherine quickly stepped forward as the reporter's started shouting out their questions. She quieted them down and pointed to a reporter.
"Ms. Bell, do you know the identity of Mr. McCall's attacker?"
Melinda cleared her throat and moved back to the podium. "At this time the identity of Mr. McCall's attacker is unknown and he is still at large."
"Melinda, is there any truth to the rumor that McCall's attack is related to Nsync's legal battle?"
"Excuse me?" Melinda raised an eyebrow.
"Is it true that Lou Pearlman had Mr. McCall beaten as a message for Nsync to remain with Trans-Continental Records?"
Melinda stifled back a laugh before answering the question. "As I stated before, Michael McCall was attacked during a home invasion attempt. This event is in no way related to Nsync's legal issues with Trans-Con or BMG Records."
"JC! What brings the entire group off of vacation if McCall is just one of your employees?"
JC was taken aback by the question. His mind had been reeling ever since the press conference began. He couldn't believe that Melinda had blatantly lied about Michael's attack and his current condition. But he would have to worry about that later. He quickly stepped up to the microphone and looked out at the reporters.
"I know that I speak for the rest of the guys when I tell you that Nsync has always felt that the people who work with us are more than just employees to us...They are our family." JC stated clearly. "Michael is a good friend of ours and we all felt that we should be here for him during this time."
Melinda placed a hand on JC's back for moral support, as the barrage of questions continued.
"JC! What's the story with McCall and Britney Spears? Why isn't she here?"
"Britney is currently in Europe recording tracks for her next album." JC answered politely. "And the details of their relationship is between the two of them, not the general public."
Katherine chose that moment to step up to the podium. "Thank you ladies and gentlemen. That will be all for now."
"You know," Tyler stated from the passenger seat of Lance's rental car, "We really should be at the hospital in case Michael wakes up."
Lance had parked his car in an alley across from a bar that Tyler said Andy frequented. They had been watching the bar for nearly an hour with no success. As the time passed, Tyler had mentioned the fact that he felt they should give up and go to the hospital. Lance wanted nothing more than to be at Michael's side. But the anger that was boiling within him would not allow that. What had happened to his lover was wrong, and his attacker had to be found.
The singer chose to ignore the man in the seat next to him. Instead, he continued his watch of the building across the street. There weren't many people walking the sidewalks near the bar, let alone going or coming from it. Lance let out a soft sigh and took a drink of the tepid coffee next to him. He made a face as it went down his throat and decided to dump the liquid out the window.
"Shit!" Tyler exclaimed. "I don't believe it."
"What?" Lance questioned, turning to Tyler. "It was just coffee."
Tyler was fumbling through is pocket, pulling out his cel phone and hitting the speed dial. "No!" He pointed towards the bar. "Andy!"
Lance's head whipped around following Tyler's finger. A motorcycle had just parked in front of the bar and a dark haired man was placing a helmet on the handlebars. "That's him?" He asked.
Tyler didn't answer. He was speaking quickly into his phone. Lance listened for a moment and deduced that Tyler was talking to the police and giving them directions. Without a word, the singer opened his door and got out of the car. Adjusting the baseball cap on his head, he closed the car door and began to walk out of the alley.
"Hey!" Tyler called. "What are you doing?"
Lance paused a moment and turned to Tyler. "I'm gonna kill him."
Tyler sprinted the few steps to put himself between Lance and the opening of the alley. "No. You're not." He said firmly. "The police are on their way. We'll wait here to make sure that Andy doesn't leave."
Lance's green eyes flared with anger. He balled his fists and stepped forward, pushing past Tyler. "Get out of my way, Tyler." He spat through clenched teeth.
As Lance moved past Tyler, he grabbed the singer by the arm and pulled him back. Lance spun around and pushed Tyler away with both hands. Tyler fell backwards a couple of steps before regaining his balance and moving after Lance.
"No!" Tyler grabbed Lance by the back of his shirt and yanked him towards him. Tyler reached out with both hands in attempt to restrain the angered singer but was mildly surprised to see Lance pivoting his body and bringing his fist around towards Tyler.
Tyler easily blocked Lance's punch by grabbing his wrist. In a single move, Tyler twisted the singer's arm around behind his back and shoved him into a nearby wall. Lance's chest hit the wall with a thud and he groaned aloud.
"Let me go!" Lance yelled in pain. "Dammit, Tyler!"
Tyler placed his left hip against Lance's lower back to hold him in place. "No, Lance." He said into the singer's ear. "I can't let you go."
"He has to pay!" Lance grunted desperately. "He raped Michael."
"You don't think I know that?!" Tyler's voice cracked with emotion. "You think I don't want that bastard dead for what he did to Michael? Remember, I'm the one who found Michael unconscious and bloodied and bruised! Both times! I know what you are feeling! I also know that Michael would never forgive me if I let you act on those feelings. Think Lance! Don't be stupid."
Tyler felt Lance's muscles relax as his struggling stopped. He could hear that the singer was crying.
"I know that you're hurting and that you're upset, Lance." Tyler said slowly, his voice calming down as he released his grip on Lance. "I've been there. And it doesn't make it any easier knowing exactly what is in store for all of us once Michael wakes up."
Lance turned, wiping the tears from his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Their discussion was interrupted by the sound of police cars screeching to a stop in front of the bar across the street. Silently, they turned and watched as the police ran into the bar and emerged a few minutes later with Andy handcuffed and yelling at the officers. The officers forced him into the back of one of the squad cars and drove off.
Tyler placed an arm around Lance's shoulder and smiled weakly. "We should get to the hospital."
Justin Timberlake sat quietly next to Michael McCall's hospital bed. It had been nearly twenty-four hours since Michael was admitted to the hospital and he was still unconscious. "At least all of his swelling has gone down." Justin whispered to the silent room.
Each member of Nsync had decided to take shifts sitting with their friend. The doctors felt that having his friends around him and talking to him would help bring Michael back. Justin sighed as he leaned forward and took one of Michael's hands into his own.
"I don't know how this is supposed to work, Michael." He said softly. "I'm only eighteen. I've never really had to deal with stuff like this.
"They want me to talk to you. What should I say?" Justin wiped a tear from his cheek and looked down to the young man in the bed in front of him. "You look like shit." He smiled. "With all of your bruises, you've got a face only a mother could love."
Justin chuckled at his own joke before getting serious again. "Speaking of which, your mom is here. She got in early this morning. She's very nice. We finally got her to go down and get something to eat. She didn't want to leave your side."
Justin's voice trailed off as his eyes wandered from Michael's face to the heart monitor that he was attached to. "The doctors say that you're fine but you're not awake. They say that with all of the physical and mental trauma that you went through, your body just shut down and that you'll wake up when you are ready."
The singer swallowed back his tears and took a deep breath. "Just wake up soon." Justin closed his eyes and rested his forehead on the mattress in front of him. After a moment, he softly began to pray.
"Just...?"
The sound of the raspy voice caused Justin's head to quickly raise from the mattress. To Justin's surprise, he found Michael staring at him.
"Just...?"
"Michael!" Justin smiled broadly. "You're awake!"
Michael's eyes were half-open as he tried to speak. "Just....wa...water."
Justin quickly reached for the pitcher of water next to the bed and poured a little into a cup. As he brought the cup towards Michael's mouth, he used his other hand to press the nurse's call button.
"Here you go." He said, helping Michael drink the water.
"Thanks," Michael said, trying to smile.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired." He responded, glancing around the room to get his bearings. "Very tired. Hospital?"
"Yes." Justin nodded.
Michael let his head fall back onto the pillows. "How long?" he sighed.
Justin's gaze kept moving towards the door in hopes that the nurse would arrive soon. "About a day."
Michael slowly nodded. "Who decided to open a floral shop in my room?"
Justin laughed softly. Humor had to be a good sign, he figured. "Everyone. When you feel better you can read the cards."
Michael's eyes moved from the group of flowers to a large pile of stuffed animals. "Oh look, there's a zoo too."
The door to the room opened and Michael's doctor entered smiling. "I see you've decided to join the living." He stated looking at Michael's chart. "How are you feeling?"
Michael took another sip of the water that Justin was offering him before answering. "Tired." He said softly. "Tired and a little sore."
The doctor had moved around to Michael's side and was taking his pulse. "Looks like your swelling has gone down."
"How bad do I look?"
The doctor had placed the stethoscope up to Michael's chest and was listening to his heartbeat. Michael breathed in and out for the doctor as he turned to Justin. "How bad do I look?"
Justin swallowed hard and bit his lip. "You...you look..."
"Tired." The doctor answered for the singer. "You look very tired. So you should get some rest. No more talking for you, try to get some sleep. I'll be back in a while to check up on you."
"Sleep is good." Michael mumbled as he rested his head back.
The doctor headed towards the door and motioned for Justin to follow him. Justin nodded and stood, releasing Michael's hand as he moved away.
"Just." Michael said slowly. "Don't go, Just. Please stay."
Justin turned to the doctor for his approval before returning to the seat next to his friend. "I'll stay, but you need to get some sleep."
"Yes," Michael mumbled as he slowly began to slip away from consciousness. "Sleep."
"Oh," Justin added. "You're mom is here. She'll be back when you wake up."
"Mamma..."
Justin sat back and let out a slow sigh as he watched Michael fall to sleep. "Where are you, Lance?"
"Get up, you fuck!"
"What?" Michael McCall squinted, his eyes trying to see through the light being shined in his face. "Who's there?"
"You know damn well who I am!" The deep voice yelled back through the darkness.
Fear clenched Michael's spine as he tried to sit up from his bed and see who was in the darkness. "Andy?"
"You got it, baby." Andy's voice echoed all around the room. "Miss me?"
Sweat was forming on Michael's forehead. He couldn't see Andy through the darkness, but he knew that he was there. He felt his presence and it sent chills throughout his body. With painful movements, Michael rolled himself off of the bed and fought his body for a standing position. He still could not see where Andy was standing, but he could tell he was getting closer.
"I know you miss me." Andy's voice leered. "I know you love me close to you. Touching you."
"No!" Michael spat.
"Making love to you."
"That's not true!" Fighting the pain, Michael started to take the steps that would lead him to the door and his escape.
"Don't lie, Mikey..." Andy continued. "I know how much you crave my kisses. How you beg me to fuck you."
Tears were flowing down Michael's face as he reached the door. He reached for the knob and pulled on the door. It wouldn't open! He tried again with no success. It was locked from the other side.
"NO!" He screamed, dropping to his knees.
He could feel Andy getting closer. He felt his warm breath on the back of his neck.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Michael screamed. "DON'T TOUCH ME!"
"You can't fight me, Mikey." Andy laughed. "You know you love it too much to fight me."
"No..." Michael whimpered, but it was too late. Andy grabbed him from behind and lifted him into the air. The next thing he knew, he was pinned on his back and Andy was lifting his legs.
"Tell me you love me." Andy's voice rang out next to Michael's ear.
"No..." Michael sobbed. "Please, don't. Not again."
"Relax," Andy whispered. "Here I come."
"NO!" Michael screamed, sitting bolt upright in his hospital bed.
Lance was out of his chair and at Michael's side in an instant. His hands landed on Michael's shoulders and he pulled him into a light embrace. "It's okay." He whispered. "You're safe. It was just a dream."
Michael fought to catch his breath and recoiled away from Lance with fear in his eyes. "Get aw..." he started to yell before taking in his surroundings. Seeing the fear in Lance's eyes brought Michael back to reality. "I'm sorry." He whispered, pulling away from Lance. "I didn't..."
"It's okay." Lance smiled, reaching out to rub his boyfriend's shoulder. Michael pulled away before Lance could make contact. The singer took a surprised step backwards not knowing what to do next.
"How are you feeling?" he managed to ask.
"A little sore." Michael answered without looking at Lance. "Can you get the doctor?"
"Sure." Lance turned towards the door to see Tyler standing there. The singer quietly exited the room with Tyler.
"Don't take it personally, Lance." Tyler said as they entered the hall.
"What's wrong with him?"
Tyler held up a hand to pause the singer as Alyx approached. "He's awake."
Alyx nodded and headed towards Michael's room. "Same as last time?"
"Yes." Tyler answered quietly.
Lance watched the exchange with a raised eyebrow. "What's going on?" he asked.
Tyler let out a sigh and led the singer over to a bank of chairs. "Lance," he began, "Michael is gonna be okay physically in a few days. But psychologically, its gonna be a while until he's okay again."
"That's to be expected."
"It's not that simple." Tyler shook his head and let out another sigh. "The last time this happened to Michael, he pushed everyone away for almost a year. That's why he took time off from school.
"He basically locked himself in his room and tried to become a hermit." Tyler's voice cracked slightly as he recalled the painful time. "Alyx and I tried everything to pull him out of it."
Lance sat silently, taking all of this new information in. "How did you guys get him out?"
Tyler chuckled slightly. "It was Alyx." He answered. "She marched right into his room, grabbed him by the ear and lead him out of the apartment to the car and eventually to Disneyland."
Lance smiled, picturing Tyler's petite girlfriend dragging Michael around by his ear. The singer's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Melinda's voice.
"Hey, Lance." She greeted as she approached handing Lance his cel phone. "The realtor called and needs you to come down and sign the paperwork so she can close escrow."
"Good." Lance smiled, placing his phone in his pocket.
"What's this all about?" Tyler asked.
Lance returned his attention to Tyler. "I've bought a house."
"Michael's been in the hospital and you've been running around buying yourself a house?" Tyler stammered.
The singer raised his hands in defense. "No, its not like that," he explained. "I bought a house for you and Michael."
"What?!"
"I don't want him going back to that apartment." Lance said firmly. "So, I found you guys a place in Santa Monica that I think you'll like."
Tyler just stared at Lance in disbelief. "But..."
"No 'buts' about it." Lance smiled. "Michael told me that after the last time Andy had raped him, the two of you had moved so that Andy wouldn't be able to find you."
"A lot of good that did." Tyler looked to the floor.
Lance placed a hand on Tyler's shoulder. "Mel will get a moving crew to help you get everything moved over. I want to have the house ready by the time Michael checks out of here."
"Then you'd better hurry."
Tyler and Lance turned to see Alyx walking towards them.
"The doctor just got finished with Michael." She stated. "He says that it looks like Michael can check out tomorrow night."
JC Chasez quietly entered Michael's hospital room and sat in the chair next to the bed. Noticing that Michael's eyes were closed, JC assumed that his friend was sleeping, so he picked up a magazine and started to page through it.
"Not planning on saying 'Hi'?" Michael opened his eyes and glanced at his friend.
"I thought you were sleeping?" JC smiled, placing the magazine on the table next to him. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." Michael sighed. "My eyes don't feel so heavy anymore. How do I look?"
JC leaned forward and brushed his right hand through Michael's hair to keep it off of his face. "Adorable." He smiled broadly. "You look adorable."
Michael smiled uncomfortably and could feel himself blush. "Mel tells me that you were singing to me."
It was JC's turn to blush. "Yeah, I was." He answered. "You don't know how scared I was. You looked so still. I thought..."
Michael could see the tears begin to flow from JC's eyes as he reached out for his hand. "Josh...I'm okay...I'm fine."
JC wiped away his tears and chuckled. "You've never called me Josh before."
"I'm sorry."
"No!" he squeezed Michael's hand gently. "I like it."
"Am I interrupting something?" Justin asked, poking his head into the room.
"No." JC said, wiping his eyes.
"Just!" Michael smiled. "Come in!"
Justin entered the room and sat on the corner of Michael's bed. "You look better."
"Thanks, I feel better." Michael said. "JC, could you find Lance for me? I haven't seen him since I woke up."
JC nodded and headed out the door.
Justin took a moment to look at his friend. He still looked battered, but the bruises were beginning to fade. That was a good side. But Justin couldn't help but wonder how the emotional bruises were healing. The singer moved from his spot on the bed and sat in the chair that JC had left empty.
"How are you?" he asked.
Michael turned his head towards the blond next to him. "I told you I was feeling better."
Justin moved his chair closer to the bed and rested his elbows on the mattress. "That's not what I meant." He shook his head. After glancing at the door, he returned his gaze to his friend and whispered. "Lance said you had a nightmare earlier. Wanna talk about it?"
Michael looked away from Justin, all signs of cheer fading from his face. "Not really."
"Michael," Justin began. "I know that we have never been very close, but I want you to know that I'm here to listen. Whatever is going on in your head and giving you these nightmares won't go away unless you talk about it with someone."
Michael looked back at Justin with tears in his eyes. "I know." He whispered. "I just can't believe that I let this happen to me again."
Justin reached out and grabbed his friend's hand. "Don't say that!" he said sternly. "This is not your fault!"
The tears were now flowing down Michael's cheeks and he fought to catch his breath. He looked Justin in the eye and completely lost control of his sobbing. Justin stood and pulled his friend into a hug. His strong arms wrapped around him and held him tightly.
"I'm scared." Michael sobbed onto Justin's shoulder. "I'm scared that Lance won't want to be with me anymore because I let this happen to me."
"Shhhhh," Justin tried to sooth his friend. "It'll be okay, Michael. I promise."
Justin held Michael as he sobbed on his shoulder. He looked up when he felt Lance's hand on his shoulder. Justin smiled weakly at Lance. He could see that Lance was crying too. Lance motioned for Justin to step back as he moved in and placed his arms around his boyfriend.
Michael looked up as Justin was moving away. He saw Lance standing in front of him and began crying anew. Without a word, Lance pulled Michael into an embrace and lightly kissed his forehead.
"I'm here." Lance whispered. "And I'm not gonna leave."
"I'm sorry," Michael muttered over and over again. "I'm so sorry."
Lance fought back his own tears and held tightly onto Michael. "We're gonna get through this." He stated. "We're gonna get through this and everything is gonna be okay."
Justin reached the door to the hospital room where JC, Chris and Joey were standing watching their friends. Each had tear stains on their cheeks. JC held out his arm and pulled Justin into the group. The four men silently watched as the couple in front of them held onto each other tightly, trying to find the support they so desperately needed to make it through this dark time that they had entered.
"It'll be okay." Lance repeated, his green eyes glowing with tears. As he prayed that what he was saying was true. For Michael's sake and for his.
To be continued...